Extra! Extra!

Before “Extra! Extra!” became the trademark-shout of a TV show that reports celebrity news, it was the cry of newspaper sellers when an extra edition of the paper was published. When something happened that was sudden or excessive or of great interest to the nation, it was deemed important to let everyone know about it right away. People were alerted and spent extra time and extra money to respond.

The concept of “extra” is at the root of the word “extravagant,” and in the November issue of The Link we focus on two kinds of extravagance – extravagant giving and extravagant welcome. Both are at the core of discipleship. As we listen closely to Jesus this year in our “Called to Listen, Called to Live” emphasis, we hear that the giving of self in every way is at the heart of his message and his own self-giving is what reconciled us to God.

What kind of giving do you do that goes beyond token to extravagant? In our personal lives we might be extravagant when it comes to gifts (especially to grandchildren) or an occasional vacation or food at holiday times. Although the present financial realities might affect us in ways that limit extravagance, my guess is that most of us have enough resources for an extravagant gesture here and there. If we have enough money to eat out once in a while, to buy an article of clothing that is not essential, to give a gift that is not needed or to go to a movie, then we have “extra” compared to what most people in the world have available to them. And Jesus calls us to think about how we use “extra.”

So I ask you to consider two kinds of “extra” giving in the months to come. First, please think about a continuing gift to ELCA World Hunger. After I realized that my own giving was sporadic and usually in response to a particular situation, I made the decision to give $100 each month to this ELCA ministry; it is taken automatically out of my checking account. At first I thought that it was an extravagant gesture. But the truth is that I do not miss it nearly as much as I thought I would. Maybe it is time for me to increase my gift.

Secondly, please consider an additional ongoing gift through your congregation to mission support for the wider church. The ELCA responded to the expressed will of many members for more welcome and partnership for gay and lesbian people. The New England Synod has been a leader in the effort to increase our inclusiveness and now we should be a leader in showing support through our giving. There are congregations and individuals across the country that are remaining in the ELCA but withholding financial support in protest of the CWA actions. The people who will suffer the most from this decrease are those who benefit from the ministries of the ELCA – missionaries, people who depend on social services, the hungry, refugees … the ripples will spread unhappily far in our world.

If you, or someone you love, is grateful for the actions of the Churchwide Assembly, you can express that gratitude through fuller support of the ELCA. I plan to do that personally.

When we do not keep all the “extra” for ourselves, but look for places where holy extravagance is needed, we will move from fear to a deeper peace. Then we will better hear the “tidings of comfort and joy” that come to us from God as we live more fully in the extravagance of Jesus Christ that was given to the world at Christmas.

Reprinted from the November 2009 issue of “The Lutheran Link,” the magazine of the New England Synod. If you would like to receive a printed copy of “The Link,” please email sisterv@nesynod.org.

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